(GIST OF KURUKSHETRA) Advancing Nutrition Literacy to Tackle Obesity

(OCTOBER-2025)

Advancing Nutrition Literacy to Tackle Obesity

Context:

As India comes together to celebrate its 8th Poshan Maah this month, it is important to spotlight obesity, a growing public health challenge affecting all age groups, from children to adolescents to adults.

Key highlights:

All around us, it can be noticed that inexpensive and readily available foods like chips, burgers, fries, sugary drinks and instant snacks are increasingly replacing wholesome, home-cooked meals of dal, roti, rice and vegetables.
More and more children and adolescents are prioritising taste over nutrition. Irregular sleep patterns and late-night screen use disrupt the body’s metabolism. Large portion sizes, frequent snacking and the daily intake of sugary beverages such as sodas and packaged juices further add to the problem.
The growing culture of eating out and fast-food dependency, with meals delivered to our doorsteps within minutes, has allowed convenience to take precedence over nutrition. This also affects the family food environment, where children often mirror the eating habits of adults.
This shift is compounded by a lifestyle where young people spend longer hours on television and mobile screens instead of playgrounds, while adults, pressed by long workdays, find little time for exercise. Together, these patterns are fuelling the steady rise of obesity as a major public health challenge.
The recent Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) data shows that beverages and processed food are now the largest components of food expenditure in both rural and urban areas, with the trend only increasing over the years.

Obesity affects both mental and physical health.

For children, it is more than just the burden of carrying ‘extra weight,’ it makes them more vulnerable to teasing, lowers their self-confidence and increases the risk of early-onset conditions such as diabetes and cardiac the likelihood of chronic non-communicable diseases.
Obesity has far-reaching consequences that extend well beyond appearance. It can cause joint pain, back problems and reduced mobility, making even routine activities difficult.
Hormonal imbalances such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), infertility and early puberty are closely linked to excess weight.
Obesity also increases the risk of several cancers, including colon, breast and liver. Its impact on the mind is equally concerning as reduced concentration, poor academic performance and cognitive decline are often observed.

Measures need to be adopted:

Good nutrition and health begin with regular monitoring of weight and height— regularly monitor your weight to know your nutritional status.
Maintaining balance requires limiting salt, sugar, sweets, oil and fried foods, and reducing junk food—choose nutritious meals from locally available options.
Eating mindfully, reading food labels carefully and ensuring adequate sleep supports well-being-practice these habits diligently.
Daily physical activity or yoga for at least 60 minutes, along with taking breaks from sedentary work, keeps the body active— make time to stay fit.

Way ahead:

The Ministry of Women and Child Development is also raising awareness on overweight and obesity by introducing oil and sugar boards in Anganwadi centres. These displays are designed to initiate conversations, encourage reflection and guide families toward healthier food choices. Their true impact, however, depends on the collective efforts of Anganwadi workers, parents, teachers and community leaders who can use them as active educational tools and implement them in daily life.

Conclusion:

Adopting healthier habits may seem simple, but it requires commitment and the will to change. If millions of families across India take these small steps together, we can create a powerful wave of transformation. As our nation moves towards the vision of Viksit Bharat, building a culture of good nutrition will help us secure the health and future of generations to come.